Compact tractor advice?

Anyone here used a Kubota L245 before, I found one that looks pretty sweet. 25 HP may be enough for me to do my bush hogging and mowing.

Having used quite a few vintage tractors (over 40 years old) I can say they aren't as nice as using a modern tractor. I have only owned one tractor so far, a 1953 Massey 35. Bought it for 600 bucks changed oil on it once, used it for 2 1/2 years. It spun a bearing last fall, sold it for 400 bucks to some tractor nut. The tractor was a little big for the amount of land I had but the extra heft and wide tires came in handy when pulling axle-less trucks and boulders out of the ground. If I were you I would look for a Farmall Cub or a Case VAC. Both will be a bit cheaper than a Ford 8N or 9N. Out of the two the Case usually goes for a bit less. I just looked at one that was in good running order for 700 bucks. It came with an Eagle hitch which is similar to a three point setup. It could be modified into a three point setup. A good welder would be able to set you up with some guards and a roll bar. That sort of stuff isn't too hard to make. A wide front end is easier to use with a bucket, but a narrow front will work okay. I probably wouldn't use a bucket with a Cub or a VAC myself. My father has a Farmall H which is a little bigger with a bucket. It is a trip bucket and the tractor is a narrow front. It works well enough for moving manure or snow around. Not so good for trying to use as a bulldozer. An older tractor will work just fine, just have to be a little more patient. There are plenty of Farmers around here that use nothing but 40-50 year old tractors.

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http://www.xanga.com/shackman A blog about whatever

If your ground is the least bit tilted I wouldn't use a narrow front end it will tip on you if you raise the bucket too high. Get a front end loader that was made for that tractor. I have seen too large a bucket on tractors that will cause it to become too front end heavy. Even a bucket that was made for a tractor it will become heavy when loaded and being a novice you will probity hurt your self or somebody else before you even know what to do. That statement is not to scare you but to make you aware of the dangers and be careful. I grew up around tractors and the ones made before 1965 are the ones that you really want to avoid. After 1965 they made great improvements to them as far as safety is concerned. I would like to hear from you for at least 10 years down the road.

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God must have loved stupid people because he made so many of them.

Unless you want another hobby you don't want an antique tractor.

Check all of the loan stores and the dealers in your area. Repossessions are going wild and many small tractors are toys for people and they're losing them.

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"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self confidence"
Robert Frost

I used a John Deere model 60 NF with a hand clutch, now that was a pain in the neck. The farmer that owned it had used it for at least 15 years. Seriously if safety is a big deal it isn't that hard to weld a roll cage to something. When using any equipment a little common sense goes a long ways. Seems with some folks narrow front is a dirty word, but if the ground is mostly level it won't be a problem. Granted I wouldn't be using one in very hilly terrain with a bucket. In some ways some of the later tractors are less safe than the older ones. I used to run a Farmall 756, there were no brakes if the motor wasn't running since they were operated using hydraulics. Darn near went off the edge of a rather steep incline going backwards when the tractor stalled. My old Massey 35 had a mechanical setup, safer in my opinion. I have used for the most part nothing but older tractors whether for myself or other Farmers, they work fine. They do take a little more muscle and are a little (or a lot, depends) slower but I don't think speed is all that important on 3 acres.

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http://www.xanga.com/shackman A blog about whatever

I used a John Deer 70 NF for my first experience with a front end loader. I have used a front end loader on just a bout any John Deer and Massey Ferguson that will take one. On level ground it will do alright if you have a rolomatic front end or a single tire in front as long as you are not in mud or soft ground. I like the wide front end with 4x4 on a loader tractor. But you can have the older tractors to play with while i prefer to have good equipment to get the job done quicker.

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God must have loved stupid people because he made so many of them.

Actually, the key to a safe loader tractor is balance & ballist. My 2 loader tractors are a IHC H with narrow front, no live hyd, and no power steering. But it is a very safe & stable tractor - dad has over 400 lbs on the rear axle for weight, and it is a fairly long tractor for the amount of weight it lifts.

The little NH 1720 compact tractor I bought with loader is roughly the same power & lifting, but with wide front, front wheel assist.

When I got the 1720 home & used it, that is the most scared I have ever been on a tractor - & I have driven an assortment of small & large tractors for decades for a living.

It is so short, and the rear wheels were not weighted, and the front wheel assist will keep it moving even if the rear end goes light.....

Man I got on the phone & had the coop come out & fill the rear tires with Calcium Cloride so it had some weight on the rear end!!! That thing was horribly unsafe without it!

Now it is reasonably safe. But still, the narrow from old H loader is a tad more sure-footed.

Wide or narrow doesn't matter quite as much as people thing. The front axle on a wide front still pivots, so your loader tractor still has only 3 points holding it up - the 2 rear wheels and the front pivot point.

Now, the little 1720 is _way_ more nice to use......

--->Paul